Mode of attaching guard-fingers to finger-bars



(No Model.)

W. N. WHITELEY.

Mode of Attaching Guard Fingers to Finger Bars. No. 242,239. Patented May 31,1881.

N PETERS. Phulo'Lilhographlr, Wuhingbn. me

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM N. \VHI'IELEY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

MODE OF ATTACHING GUARD-FINGERS TO FINGER-BARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,239, dated May 31, 1881.

Application filed March 10, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM NEEDHAM VVHITELEY, of Springfield, in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, of the United States of America, have invented new and useful -Improtements on Finger-Bars and the Mode of Attaching Guard-Fingers to the Same; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, having reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure l is a transverse section of the fingerbar, showing the mode of attaching the apronroller, the platform, and the guard finger. Fig. 2 is a plan of the guard-finger. Fig. 3 is a transverse section, showing a modification in the attachment of the guard-finger. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 represent other modifications.

I am aware that angle-iron has heretofore been employed in making fin ger-bars, and therefore I do not propose hereinto claim the same, broadly, but only when coupled with the peculiar improvement which I have invented.

Among the advantages of the angle-beam as I use it are, first, it secures great strength and rigidity with little weight; second, it secures great firmness of attachment for the guard-fingers; third, it enables the conveyingapron to be brought at its front edge close to the cutters.

My invention, therefore, consists, principally, in a finger-bar of iron formed with a vertical and a horizontal part or an gle-flan ges, whereby the bar is braced in both vertical and horizontal directions, and a longitudinal groove or recess to receive and support the guard-fingers, and by relieving the fastening rivets or bolts from a portion of their duty said recessor groove correspondingly increases the strength and security of attachment.

A is the finger-beam, which at present I prefer to make of rolled wrought-iron or steel. It is provided with a vertical web or part and a horizontal web or part, as shown, so that it is braced in both said directions, and thereby secures a given strength with theleast weight of material.

Bis the guard-finger, which is seated on the finger-bar in a groove, (I, or recess, which will afford a seat forthe base of the finger and take off strain from the holding bolts or rivets g, which may pass through the rib e or through the finger-bar, as most convenient.

D is the front bar or apron-frame, and is properly secured to the finger-bar by bolts or (No model.)

its upper side, is seated on the upper side of the rib c and secured thereto by the bolt g, which also fastens the guard-finger B.

I is one of the apron-rollers, and its axispin it passes through the strip D and has its bearing in the metallic finger-bar, as shown, whereby the shrinkage or other cause for distortion of the frame D will not affect the working of the rollers I.

L is the platform or guard below the apron. At its front edge it is joined to and supported by the finger-bar, as shown.

In Fig. 6 the finger is shown provided at its rear end with a stud, m, which enters a corresponding hole in the finger-bar, and is thereby supported against lateral movements without employing a broad spreading base, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. This mode is preferable when the guard-finger is made of wrought instead of cast metal.

Having described my invention, what I claim is.

1. A11 angle-iron finger-beam for harvesting-machines, the floor connected to the lower or horizontal part, and roller-bearin g connected to the upper or vertical part, as shown, in combination with a guard-finger seated in the groove in the finger-beam, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of an angle-iron fingerbeam with the guard-finger seated in recess in a finger-beam for purpose of steadying guard to its place, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of an angle-iron fingerbeam, the guard-finger seated in a recess or corner of the upward-projectin g portion of the angle finger-beam, with a cap or support for the knife, also located upon upper angle attached to the said support, fastened directly upon the upper flange of said angle.

4. The combination, with an angle-iron finger-beam, the floor attached to the lower angle, and roller-bearin g, roller, and conveying-apron supported upon the upper angle of the fingerbeam, and guard-finger seated in a recess on the upper angle of the finger-beam.

WILLIAM N. IVHITELE Y.

In presence of- F. B. FURNIss, OHAs. L. BOGLE. 

